Modular Catamaran Drone Structure for Low-Cost Maritime Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned surface vessels are expensive and require costly autonomy kits, limiting their availability for training against fast attack craft threats due to high procurement and maintenance costs, and they rely on external supply chains that cause production delays.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost catamaran drone vessel design composed of non-corrosive metal components, such as aluminum, that can be easily assembled using bolts and is scalable, incorporating a waterproof package for control and propulsion systems, allowing for rapid production and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional unmanned surface vessels are used, then they provide functional capability for training, but they incur high procurement and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing an inexpensive catamaran drone vessel that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The vessel uses basic materials like aluminum tubing, plastic containers, and off-the-shelf components, reducing procurement costs from $200k to approximately $10k per unit. The design accepts that these vessels are disposable training tools rather than long-term assets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or replica of a functional vessel design. Instead of building complex autonomous vessels, the invention uses a basic catamaran structure that can be easily replicated and assembled from standardized components, allowing multiple units to be produced quickly for training purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional unmanned surface vessels are used, then they provide training functionality, but they require costly autonomy kits and external supply chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential training function from complex autonomy kits. Instead of integrating expensive autonomous navigation, control systems, and sensors, the design removes these complex components and replaces them with simple manual control mechanisms, allowing the vessel to be used for training without requiring sophisticated autonomy technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive autonomy kits by using a disposable, simple vessel design that can be manually controlled. The focus shifts from expensive autonomous systems to inexpensive manual operation, reducing technology complexity while maintaining training effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional vessels are produced through external supply chains, then they provide necessary components, but they cause production delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vessel into modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The catamaran is divided into separate parts (hull sections, deck components, control systems) that can be produced locally from standardized materials, eliminating dependence on external supply chains and reducing production lead times.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables self-assembly from standardized components. The vessel uses basic parts like aluminum tubing, plastic containers, and standard fasteners that can be easily assembled by personnel without requiring complex manufacturing processes or external supply chain support, allowing rapid local production.
4Reliability
If traditional vessels are used for training, then they provide survivable platforms, but they cost $200 k per unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by accepting that training vessels do not need to be expensive or highly durable. The design uses basic materials and simple construction methods to create an inexpensive platform that is sufficient for training purposes, reducing costs from $200k to approximately $10k per unit while maintaining adequate survivability for training exercises.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a cost-effective, easily scalable, and survivable platform for training and testing, reducing costs to $20 k-$40 k per unit compared to $200 k for traditional vessels, with the ability to emulate various targets and withstand live-fire exercises.
Implementation Method 1
The pontoons provide buoyancy
Data Source
AI summary
A drone catamaran having both length and beam is provided for carrying a platform. The catamaran includes a hull, a bridge, a pair of rails, a pair of pontoons, a waterproof package, a seat, and first and second pairs of elbow flanges. The hull is composed of an open plurality of ribs disposed along the length that extend below and across the beam. The bridge supports the platform and comprises a plurality of struts disposed along the length. Each strut extends laterally beyond the beam. The pair of rails connects to corresponding port and starboard ends of the struts. The pontoons provide buoyancy. Each pontoon affixes to a corresponding rail. The waterproof contains control, guidance and propulsion equipment. The seat supports the package, and comprises a plurality of slats distributed along the length. The first pair of flanges affixes to the bridge and in particular the struts. The second pair of flanges supports the seat. The struts, ribs, rails, flanges and slats are composed non-corrosive metal.